Tubular metal post



(NoModel.)

W. ANDREW.

TUBULAR METAL POST.

Patented Jan. 2, 1894.

THE NATIONAL umaamumms COMPANY.

WASHINGTON. n. e.

" NITED STATES IVILLIAM ANDREW, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

TUBULAR METAL POST.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 5113424, dated January2, 1894.

Application filed February 7, 1893. Serial No. 461,3] 9. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM ANDREW, a citizen of the United States,residing at Oincinnati, Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvementsin Tubular Metal Posts, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to the tubular metal posts employed in connectionwith electric street-railways, tbc., to maintain the feed-conductors andthe cross-supports for the trolley wires; and consists in a constructionin which the tubes composing the post are united by compression of theouter tube at certain points or zones, or by expansion of the inner tubeat certain points or zones, against an interposed divided ring. Theexpansion or contraction of the tubes may be into grooves orperforations of the ring, and the ring compressed or expanded as thecase may be.

The ultimate object of my invention is to produce a strong supportingpost at minimum cost of construction.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which isembodied and exhibited the principle of the invention with slightvariations in structure.

Figures 1, 2, and 3, are axial sections, illustrating various modes ofsecuring` the tubes to and together by means of the split rings. Fig.et, is aview of a perforated ring; ang? Fig. 5, is a horizontal crosssection of the pipes and ring showing the joint.

The complete post is formed of two or more tubes A'and B, of differentdiameters, arranged telescopically-the smaller entering the larger,sufficiently to afford the required strength as a lap-joint.

C', C2, designate split rings occupying the annular space between thetubes at. or near the end of each, respectively. The upper ring, C', maybe slightly wedge-shaped in radial section and of suliicient thicknessand diameterto be driven in as an annular wedge and compressed closelyagainst and between the two tubes to make a close lit when driven in.The lower ring is made to lit by compressing the outer tube or expandingthe inner tube-or both-against or into it at given zones.

In Fig. l, the ring, C2, is shown with a slightly grooved periphery,into which the out-er tube, B, is compressed at a zone, Z, the

effect of which is to compress the ring in-y wardly against the tube, A.A zone, Z2, of the inner tube,-B, may also be expanded at the upper edgeof the ring, forming a grooved Offset to eifectually prevent the tube,A, from settling down by gravity.

In Fig. 2, the ring, C2, is internally grooved and the union is formedby expanding a zone, Z3, of the inner tube, B, outwardly into the grooveof the ring, and thus expanding the ring against the outer tube.

In Fig. 3, the union is formed by compressing a wider zone, Z4, of theouter tube, B, in conical form compressing the ring, C2,in like manner,and through it also, the inner tube, A.

In Fig. 5, the ring and its relation to the tubes as an annular filling,are shown, the ring being severed as at CZ, to allow its forcibleexpansion or contraction, as required.

The construction of a Zone of the tube, is effected by placing the tubein a suitable lathe, and causing it to revolve between rolls graduallybrought closer together.

The expansion of the inner tube, is effected by a tube expanderembodying, substantially, two or more steel rolls gradually spread apartby a conical mandrel. It is inserted in the tube and revolved, or isheld stationary while the tube is revolved.

As these implements are in common use for other kindred purposes, I havenot thought it necessary to exhibit them in the drawings or describethem further.

As a modification which I regard as an equivalent, I have shown in Fig.4:, a ring, C3, perforated radially; and in Fig. 5, the union of thetubes is shown, as effected by depressing the shell of the outer tube inspots e registering with the perforations e of the ring. Here also, thering may be omitted and the perforations made directly in the shell ofthe inner tube.

I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of theUnited States, the following:

l. A tubular metallic post embodying-in combination, tubes ofdifferentdiameter telescoped one within the other, with a split bushingring interposed, and secured by a peripheral groove rolled in one of thetubes at or adjacent to the ring, thereby holding it in composed splitbushing-ring peripherallygrooved,

and secured by rolling a peripheral groove in 15 one of the tubes toexpand the metal into the grooved ring and compress the same against theouter tube, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of twosubscribing 2ov Witnesses.

WM. ANDRE-W.

Witnesses:

L. M. HosEA, LANDON FREYBLER.

